Marui Tactical Master – Review.
Picking up the gun instantly feels reassuring by its weight, all 760 grams of high quality plastic and metal parts. This gun looks realistic and is well balanced in the hand and the finish is very good. The slide and lower receiver are all made of ABS, which has a nice matt satin feel to it. The grips are kitted out with combat style rubber coating, incorporating finger groves, which feels very accommodating to either left or right handed shooters.
Starting on the left hand side of the frame we first notice the serial number stamped on the lower receiver, at this point I couldn’t tell whether this section of the gun was metal or not. In fact, I had to double check certain parts by checking the temperature of the material in question. Followed immediately after this is the take down lever. The operation of this is simple, ensure the gun is not cocked, and remove the magazine. Then press the small button opposite of this lever, on the right hand side of the frame, whilst simultaneously rotating the lever clockwise. You can then push the slide forwards, and it should come off smoothly.
Unfortunately, unlike Marui instructions for most of their AEG range, these ones are in Japanese only. From what I can make of the diagrams, the hop-up does not appear to be adjustable, but the range seems to be good with 0.2g BB’s, more on that later.
After the slide release lever there is the slide lock lever. Two functions this serves. Locking the slide in place to check whether the breach is clear, and on completion of a magazine, like the real steel, the slide locks back into place. Inserting a fresh magazine, and pressing the lever returns the slide to its original position, chambering the first round, and cocking the pistol’s action.
Also on the left hand side of the frame is the magazine release catch. Due to the hefty weight of the all metal, magazine, pressing this button ejects the magazine satisfyingly into your hand, ready to reload it, or insert a fresh one. The magazine itself is also finished in matt black, and is very similar to the magazine used in most of their gas blowback range, although I can assure you the valve assembly is far better quality than their earlier models, and used with the correct gas, should last you a fair while. Pulling down the BB follower assembly allows you to manually load 26 BB’s, although you can get 27 shots out of this pistol, by chambering the 26th round, and inserting another BB into the magazine.
Moving further back you will notice the ambidextrous safety catch (also a metal part), and the skeleton type hammer. I like the safety catch on this model, rather than just blocking the trigger, which has been the death of many airsoft models, people forgetting they have left the safety on, pulling the trigger hard and “snap”. This model actually dis-engages the trigger from the sear, nicely done. In fact, forgetting that this model did this, I’d not noticed the safety on, and thought the gun to be broken when I removed it from the box. Panic over once my brain had kicked in! And then finally swinging around to the right hand side, you will notice the exposed trigger bar, apparent on all Beretta models, and similar serial numbers and markings. The sights are also of metal construction, with white recessed dots to aid quick target acquisition under low light conditions.
So how does it perform?
Well, gassing up the magazine is nothing out of the ordinary. It holds enough “go go juice” for two refills, so that’s 52, high power, blowback action shots. I mentioned before the quality of the valve and seal, its at this point we see how efficient it is. The last shot, has just as much velocity as the first, which is surprising seeing how it doesn’t incorporate an internal expansion chamber, like the Maruzen M11 or Micro UZI. Experience with other ‘cheaper’ gas blowback pistols would normally see the power drop off before the gas in the mag had expired completely.
Cocking the gun’s action is very smooth, with a satisfying “ka-click” as the first round is chambered, and the slide is released. You know you’re in for something special when you hear that noise. Releasing the safety catch and taking steady aim, I made my first shot. BANG, the slide flies back with a healthy kick, and my BB reached it’s target with stunning speed and accuracy. This first attempt was made at about 7 metres. So to really test its accuracy, I moved back a little further. 15 metres and I’m still hitting the bottom of a coke can with ease. Although the blowback mechanism has a fairly hefty kick to it, its not enough to take you off aim when double tapping that suspect airsofter, or innocent coke can.
The trigger mechanism is very crisp, and you can easily empty that 26 magazine in a matter of seconds, without a tired index finger. Rapid firing doesn’t even seem to drop the velocity, as you’d expect, where the magazine gets cold, and the gas doesn’t expend fast enough – no problems here though.
Power is very high, just a tad higher than the Uzi pistol, going clean through thick corrugated cardboard at about 3 metres. As for the poor coke can we tested at 15 metres… needless to say it was fairly well dented, and no longer resembles a cylindrical shape.
As for range, you’ll have no problems picking off man size targets at 25-30 metres. The hop-up seemed to work fine with the 0.2g EXCEL BB’s I was using, with no tendency to drift. Although you may find subtle adjustments required depending on type of ammo and gas used. I did test this gun with HFC “Green Gas”, and the kick and velocity was noticeably higher, although American Eagle gas, tried and tested – works absolutely fine.
Conclusion...
If you are looking for a hi-power, reliable and affordable gas blowback – look no further. All of these features for an amazing £90, makes for a great package. This gun is easily maintained, and the well thought out design shouldn’t pose any future problems. Its very well balanced and holsters nicely, making it an ideal skirmish side-arm. You may possibly want to invest in a spare magazine, as this gun is far too nice to take the back seat, and I can guarantee you’ll be pulling it out on many occasions.
Coupled with the low price, good looks, robustness and sheer functionality – you would be wise to save your pennies, and get this wonderful piece.
Special Features:
Brigadier Type Slide, Short Barrel (about 50mm shorter than 92F), Long Slide Stop Lever, Skeleton Type Hammer, Tactical Takedown Lever, Tactical Combat Sight, Finger Channel Rubber Grip.
Editors note – Tokyo Marui make an unlicenced replica of the Beretta pistol, for a fully licenced replica with realistic trademarks please check out the Umarex range of pistols
